Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez is considering resigning

Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez is taking a break from official business for a few days to think about his political future. A right-wing union-like group had previously reported his wife.

After a corruption complaint against his wife Begoña Gómez, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is considering resigning from office. The socialist politician surprisingly announced on the short message service X that he had canceled all his public appointments “for a few days” to think about it.

The 52-year-old said that he was being harassed by the right and the extreme right using every means possible. “I have to stop and think. I urgently have to answer the question of whether it’s worth it, despite the quagmire in which the right and the right-wing extremists are trying to make politics. Whether I should continue to be at the top of the government or from this high one Honor should resign,” he wrote in a “letter to the public.” On Monday he will appear in front of the press and announce his decision.

Sánchez denies allegations

The organization “Manos Limpias” (“Clean Hands”) had filed a complaint against Sánchez’s wife for corruption and influence in the economy. “Manos Limpias” is a private group that has been pushing a right-wing agenda in Spain for years. She accuses the 49-year-old of having exploited her position as the head of government’s wife to do business. The court did not provide any further information and stated that the investigation was closed.

Sánchez denied the allegations in his letter. His wife will “defend her honor and cooperate with the justice system in any way necessary to make it clear that these facts, which appear scandalous, are in fact non-existent.” He accused news websites that are politically oriented towards the right-wing populist Vox and the conservative People’s Party (PP) of having spread the allegations.

Sánchez and Gómez have been married since 2006 and have two daughters. The head of government’s wife does not hold any public office. She is a marketing expert who has worked for banks and non-governmental organizations, among others.

Criticism from the opposition

In their initial reactions, politicians from the conservative People’s Party PP criticized Sánchez. He pretends to be a victim instead of holding himself accountable. It is a new show that Sánchez is putting on, said PP politician and Senate Vice President Javier Maroto, for example. Sánchez wants to stay in power at all costs: “He’s always the good guy, everyone else is bad.” Meanwhile, many expressions of solidarity quickly came from Sánchez’s Socialist Party (PSOE).

A state watchdog that deals with alleged conflicts of interest dismissed a PP complaint against Sánchez in March. The party had accused Gómez of influencing the prime minister in a decision related to an airline.

Since 2018 Prime Minister

Sánchez has been Prime Minister of Spain since 2018 and currently leads a minority government. In early elections in July, the PP received the most votes ahead of his Socialists, but failed to form a government. Sánchez’s government is currently supported by smaller regional parties. In return, he accepted an amnesty for Catalan separatists, which is controversial in Spain.

Political scientist Lluis Orriols from the University of Carlos III explained that parliament could elect a new head of government if he resigned. However, given the fragmented majority, new elections are more likely.